Parasites, Hosts and Diseases

"characterization"

Brief Communication

Molecular Identification of Cryptosporidium viatorum Infection in a Patient Suffering from Unusual Cryptosporidiosis in West Bengal, India: Sanjib Kumar Sardar, Ajanta Ghosal, Yumiko Saito-Nakano, Shanta Dutta, Tomoyoshi Nozaki, Sandipan Ganguly; Korean J Parasitol 2021;59(4):409-413.
Published online August 18, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2021.59.4.409

Abstract
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In this study, we have collected and screened a total of 268 stool samples from diarrheal patients admitted to an Infectious disease hospital in Kolkata for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. The initial diagnosis was carried out by microscopy followed by genus specific polymerase chain reaction assays based on 70 kDa heat shock proteins (HSP70). DNA sequencing of the amplified locus has been employed for determination of genetic diversity of the local isolates. Out of 268 collected samples, 12 (4.48%) were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. Sequences analysis of 70 kDa heat shock proteins locus in 12 Cryptosporidium local isolates revealed that 2.24% and 1.86% of samples were showing 99% to 100% identity with C. parvum and C. hominis. Along with the other 2 major species one recently described globally distributed pathogenic species Cryptosporidium viatorum has been identified. The HSP70 locus sequence of the isolate showed 100% similarity with a previously described isolate of C. viatorum (Accession No. JX978274.1, JX978273.1, and JN846706.1) present in GenBank.

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Prevalence and genotype analysis of Cryptosporidium spp. in nine species of wild rodents in China
Zhen-Qiu Gao, Hai-Tao Wang, Jing-Hao Li, Yi-Xuan Song, Qing-Yu Hou, Si-Yuan Qin, He Ma, Quan Zhao, Ya Qin
Parasite.2025; 32: 19. CrossRef
Cryptosporidium and cryptosporidiosis: An update of Asian perspectives in humans, water and food, 2015–2025
Shahira Abdelaziz Ali Ahmed, Sonia Boughattas, Mohammad Reza Mahmoudi, Huma Khan, Simuzar Mamedova, Ardra Namboodiri, Frederick R. Masangkay, Panagiotis Karanis
Current Research in Parasitology & Vector-Borne Diseases.2025; 8: 100311. CrossRef
Critters and contamination: Zoonotic protozoans in urban rodents and water quality
Siobhon Egan, Amanda D. Barbosa, Yaoyu Feng, Lihua Xiao, Una Ryan
Water Research.2024; 251: 121165. CrossRef
An Update on Zoonotic Cryptosporidium Species and Genotypes in Humans
Una Ryan, Alireza Zahedi, Yaoyu Feng, Lihua Xiao
Animals.2021; 11(11): 3307. CrossRef

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Original Articles

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Toxocara apodemi (Nematoda: Ascarididae) from Striped Field Mice, Apodemus agrarius, in Korea: Hyeon Cheol Kim, Eui Ju Hong, Si Yun Ryu, Jinho Park, Jeong Gon Cho, Do Hyeon Yu, Joon Seok Chae, Kyoung Seong Choi, Bae Keun Park; Korean J Parasitol 2020;58(4):403-411.
Published online August 25, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2020.58.4.403

Abstract
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Adult ascarid worms from the field mice, Apodemus agrarius, were observed with a light and scanning electron microscope, and molecularly analized with 18S rRNA gene. In the scanning electron microscope, 3 prominent labia were present in the anterior end of male and female worms, but the interlabia and gubernaculum were absent. Scanning electron micrographs showed cervical alae as vestigial organs that looked like a slightly uplifted superficial sewing stitch. Total 6 pairs of post-cloacal papillae were observed on the tail of the male worms. The tail of female worms was blunt and conical shape with a spine-like structure, mucron. The eggs were sub-globular, coated with the albuminous layer and 73 by 82 μm in average size. The superficial pits of T. apodemi egg (mean 8.6×6.7 μm) are obviously bigger than those of Toxocara spp. The partial sequence of 18S rRNA showed the sequence homology of Toxocara canis (99.6%), Toxocara cati (99.4%), Toxascaris leonina (99.4%), and Toxocara vitulorum (99.2%). Conclusively, it was confirmed that ascarid nematodes, Toxocara apodemi, recovered from striped field mice in Korea are taxonomically conspecific relationship with genus Toxocara and genetic divergence from other Toxocara species.

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First molecular characterization and species validation of Toxocara alienata (Rudolphi 1819) (Nematoda: Ascarididae), from a crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus)
Gustavo Macêdo do Carmo, Lorena Gisela Ailán-Choke, Hassan Jerdy, Hermínio Ismael de Araújo-Júnior, Felipe Bisaggio Pereira
Parasitology International.2026; 111: 103160. CrossRef
Parasites in the Digestive Tract of Lion (Panthera leo) at the Safari Park of Gurun Putih Lestari Jantho, Aceh Besar
Fajri Dwitama, Razali Daud, Arman Sayuti, Yudha Fahrimal
Journal of Applied Veterinary Science And Technology.2025; 6(1): 32. CrossRef
Nematocidal activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized using chicken egg albumin in lung and spleen of Parascaris equorum experimentally infected rats
Sara Bayoumi Ali, Ayman Saber Mohamed, Sohair R. Fahmy, Manal El–Garhy, Mohamed R. Mousa, Fathy Abdel-Ghaffar
Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Incidence and Risk Factors of Toxocara vitulorum Infection in Beef Cattle of Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Vika Ichsania Ninditya, Fitrine Ekawasti, Joko Prastowo, Irkham Widiyono, Wisnu Nurcahyo
World's Veterinary Journal.2024; 14(4): 592. CrossRef
Characterisation of the mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of Toxocara apodemi (Nematoda: Ascarididae)
Y. Gao, Y. Hu, S. Xu, H. Liang, H. Lin, T. H. Yin, K. Zhao
Journal of Helminthology.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
The Complete Mitogenome of Toxocara vitulorum: Novel In-Sights into the Phylogenetics in Toxocaridae
Yue Xie, Lidan Wang, Yijun Chen, Zhao Wang, Pengchen Zhu, Zun Hu, Xinfeng Han, Zhisheng Wang, Xuan Zhou, Zhicai Zuo
Animals.2022; 12(24): 3546. CrossRef

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Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Toxocara tanuki (Nematoda: Ascaridae) from Korean Raccoon Dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis: Umanets Alexander, Chae-Wong Lim, Bumseok Kim, Eui-Ju Hong, Hyeon-Cheol Kim, Bae-Keun Park; Korean J Parasitol 2018;56(6):567-575.
Published online December 31, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2018.56.6.567

Abstract
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Present study was performed to describe the morphological and molecular characterization of Toxocara tanuki (Nematoda: Ascaridae) from Korean raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis, naturally infected in the Republic of Korea (Korea). Juvenile and adult worms of T. tanuki were recovered in 5 out of 10 raccoon dogs examined and the larval worms were detected in 15 out of 20 muscle samples (75%). Small lateral alae were observed on the cranial end of the body in male and female adults and 2 long spicules (3.0-3.5 mm) were characteristically observed in the posterior end of males. In SEM observation, 18 pairs of proximal precloacal, a precloacal median, a postcloacal median and 5 pairs of postcloacal papillae were uniquely revealed in the posterior portion of males, but the proximal papillae were not shown in the lateral ends of females. Molecular analysis on the 18S rRNA partial DNA sequences was revealed the same finding in both samples, adult worms and muscle larvae, which are closely related to T. tanuki. In conclusion, it was confirmed for the first time that T. tanuki is indigenously distributed, the Korean raccoon dog is acted as the natural definitive host of this nematode in Korea and the morphological characteristics of T. tanuki were shown in specific structure for single postcloacal median papilla in male.

Citations

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Metabarcoding of pathogenic parasites based on copro-DNA analysis of wild animals in South Korea
Jun Ho Choi, Soo Lim Kim, Dong Kyun Yoo, Myung-hee Yi, Singeun Oh, Myungjun Kim, Sohyeon Yun, Tai-Soon Yong, Seongjun Choe, Jong Koo Lee, Ju Yeong Kim
Heliyon.2024; 10(9): e30059. CrossRef
Toxocara tanuki larval distribution in mice and the infectivity of tissue larvae
Natsuki Okada, Hong-Kean Ooi, Kensuke Taira
Parasitology Research.2023; 122(6): 1327. CrossRef
Detection of larvae of Toxocara cati and T. tanuki from the muscles of free-ranging layer farm chickens
Natsuki Okada, Hong-Kean Ooi, Kensuke Taira
Parasitology Research.2021; 120(5): 1737. CrossRef
Leptospiral meningoencephalitis in a raccoon dog
Risako Yamashita, Toshinori Yoshida, Mio Kobayashi, Suzuka Uomoto, Saori Shimizu, Keisuke Takesue, Natsuno Maeda, Erika Hara, Kanami Ohshima, Wen Zeng, Yasunori Takahashi, Aoi Ikeuchi, Emi Okamoto, Takutoshi Sugiyama, Hiroki Nagakubo, Madoka Ichikawa-Seki
Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation.2021; 33(6): 1137. CrossRef
Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Toxocara apodemi (Nematoda: Ascarididae) from Striped Field Mice, Apodemus agrarius, in Korea
Hyeon Cheol Kim, Eui Ju Hong, Si Yun Ryu, Jinho Park, Jeong Gon Cho, Do Hyeon Yu, Joon Seok Chae, Kyoung Seong Choi, Bae Keun Park
The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2020; 58(4): 403. CrossRef

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Identification and Characterization of Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 1 in Acanthamoeba castellanii: Eun-Kyung Moon, Hyun-Hee Kong, Yeonchul Hong, Hae-Ahm Lee, Fu-Shi Quan; Korean J Parasitol 2017;55(2):109-114.
Published online April 30, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2017.55.2.109

Abstract
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Protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) is an important epigenetic regulator in eukaryotic cells. During encystation, an essential process for Acanthamoeba survival, the expression of a lot of genes involved in the encystation process has to be regulated in order to be induced or inhibited. However, the regulation mechanism of these genes is yet unknown. In this study, the full-length 1,059 bp cDNA sequence of Acanthamoeba castellanii PRMT1 (AcPRMT1) was cloned for the first time. The AcPRMT1 protein comprised of 352 amino acids with a SAM-dependent methyltransferase PRMT-type domain. The expression level of AcPRMT1 was highly increased during encystation of A. castellanii. The EGFPAcPRMT1 fusion protein was distributed over the cytoplasm, but it was mainly localized in the nucleus of Acanthamoeba. Knock down of AcPRMT1 by synthetic siRNA with a complementary sequence failed to form mature cysts. These findings suggested that AcPRMT1 plays a critical role in the regulation of encystation of A. castellanii. The target gene of AcPRMT1 regulation and the detailed mechanisms need to be investigated by further studies.

Citations

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PRMT5 Inhibitor EPZ015666 Decreases the Viability and Encystment of Entamoeba invadens
Rigoberto Ortiz-Hernández, Elmer Joel Millán-Casarrubias, Jeni Bolaños, Susana Munguía-Robledo, Carlos Vázquez-Calzada, Elisa Azuara-Licéaga, Jesús Valdés, Mario Alberto Rodríguez
Molecules.2024; 30(1): 62. CrossRef
Comparative analysis of differentially expressed genes in Acanthamoeba after ingestion of Legionella pneumophila and Escherichia coli
Eun-Kyung Moon, Min-Jeong Kim, Hae-Ahm Lee, Fu-Shi Quan, Hyun-Hee Kong
Experimental Parasitology.2022; 232: 108188. CrossRef
Drug Discovery against Acanthamoeba Infections: Present Knowledge and Unmet Needs
Hany M. Elsheikha, Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui, Naveed Ahmed Khan
Pathogens.2020; 9(5): 405. CrossRef
Free-living amoebae and squatters in the wild: ecological and molecular features
Ascel Samba-Louaka, Vincent Delafont, Marie-Hélène Rodier, Estelle Cateau, Yann Héchard
FEMS Microbiology Reviews.2019; 43(4): 415. CrossRef

9,994 View
223 Download
4 Web of Science
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Genetic analyses of Acanthamoeba isolates from contact lens storage cases of students in Seoul, Korea: Hak-Sun Yu, Kyung-Hee Choi, Hyo-Kyung Kim, Hyun-Hee Kong, Dong-Il Chung; Korean J Parasitol 2001;39(2):161-170.
Published online June 30, 2001; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2001.39.2.161

Abstract
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We conducted both the small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and mitochondrial (mt) DNA RFLP analyses for a genetic characterization of Acanthamoeba isolates from contact lens storage cases of students in Seoul, Korea. Twenty-three strains of Acanthamoeba from the American Type Culture Collection and twelve clinical isolates from Korean patients were used as reference strains. Thirty-nine isolates from contact lens storage cases were classified into seven types (KA/LS1, KA/LS2, KA/LS4, KA/LS5, KA/LS7, KA/LS18, KA/LS31). Four types (KA/LS1, KA/LS2, KA/LS5, KA/LS18) including 33 isolates were regarded as A. castellanii complex by riboprints. KA/LS1 type was the most predominant (51.3%) in the present survey area, followed by KA/LS2 (20.9%), and KA/LS5 (7.7%) types. Amoebae of KA/LS1 type had the same mtDNA RFLP and riboprint patterns as KA/E2 and KA/E12 strains, clinical isolates from Korean keratitis patients. Amoebae of KA/LS2 type had the identical mtDNA RFLP patterns with A. castellanii Ma strain, a corneal isolate from an American patient as amoebae of KA/LS5 type, with KA/E3 and KA/E8 strains from other Korean keratitis patients. Amoebae of KA/LS18 type had identical patterns with JAC/E1, an ocular isolate from a Japanese patient. Three types, which remain unidentified at species level, were not corresponded with any clinical isolate in their mtDNA RFLP and riboprint patterns. Out of 39 isolates analyzed in this study, mtDNA RFLP and riboprint patterns of 33 isolates (84.6%) were identical to already known clinical isolates, and therefore, they may be regarded as potentially keratopathogenic. These results suggest that contact lens wearers in Seoul should pay more attention to hygienic maintenance of contact lens storage cases for the prevention of Acanthamoeba keratitis.

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Parasitological and microbiological assessment of contact lens storage cases: a survey of asymptomatic lens student wearers from five medical specialties in Tunisia, North Africa
Sameh Belgacem, Raja Chaâbane-Banaoues, Amira Mejri, Sawsen Ben Ifa, Maha Mastouri, Hamouda Babba
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Annals of Dermatology.2023; 35(Suppl 2): S275. CrossRef
Adhesion ofAcanthamoebaon Cosmetic Contact Lenses
Seung-Mok Lee, Ji-Eun Lee, Da-In Lee, Hak-Sun Yu
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2018;[Epub] CrossRef
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Angela Magnet, Thiago Santos Gomes, Carmen Pardinas, Natalia Garcia de Blas, Cruz Sadaba, Eugenia Carrillo, Fernando Izquierdo, José Manuel Benítez del Castillo, Carolina Hurtado, Carmen del Aguila, Soledad Fenoy
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Effect of Multipurpose Solution Combined With Autophagy Inhibitors on Adhesion of Acanthamoeba trophozoites to Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses
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Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics.2016; 36(2): 93. CrossRef
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Windell L. Rivera, Davin Edric V. Adao
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The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2009; 47(4): 337. CrossRef
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The Korean Journal of Parasitology.2009; 47(Suppl): S21. CrossRef
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Ying-Hua Xuan, Byung-Suk Chung, Yeon-Chul Hong, Hyun-Hee Kong, Tae-Won Hahn, Dong-Il Chung
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